'Maga Simpan' Biden Declares Candidacy for US Presidential Election... Possible Showdown with Trump (Comprehensive)

U.S. President Joe Biden officially announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election on the 25th (local time). As the landscape of next November's U.S. presidential election gradually takes shape, the possibility of a rematch between incumbent President Biden and his 'political rival,' former President Donald Trump, is gaining traction.

In his announcement, President Biden emphasized the judgment against the far-right Republican supporters known as 'MAGA (Make America Great Again)' and clearly set an anti-Trump tone. Former President Trump immediately lashed out at Biden, calling him the most corrupt president in U.S. history.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Biden Announces Presidential Run: "Let's Finish the Job"

In a 3-minute and 4-second video released that day, President Biden officially declared his bid for re-election, saying, "Let's finish the job. I know we can do it." He stated, "When I ran for president four years ago, I said we were fighting for the soul of America. And we are still fighting," adding, "The question we face is whether we will have more freedom or less freedom, more rights or fewer rights in the years ahead." He emphasized, "Now is not the time to settle," and said, "That is why I am running for re-election."

On the same day, President Biden reflected, "Individual freedom is fundamental to who we are as Americans," and said, "Fighting for democracy was my mission during my first term." He also criticized, "It should not be revolutionary for every citizen to be treated equally, to have a fair chance, and to have their rights protected," and condemned "MAGA extremists who are cutting social security, lowering taxes for the wealthy, and dictating what healthcare decisions women can make."

This is interpreted as a direct criticism targeting former President Trump, who used MAGA as a slogan, and the social security cuts and abortion rights repeal supported by his followers. Although he did not mention former President Trump's name directly, when the MAGA term appeared in the video, a photo showed Trump with his arm around Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, one of the Republican presidential hopefuls. The campaign video also began with scenes from the January 6 Capitol riot.

The appearance of former President Donald Trump in the video of U.S. President Joe Biden's 2024 presidential election campaign
[Image source=Joe Biden Official YouTube]

Biden's declaration focused on 'defending democracy.' He said, "I know America. We are a good and decent people, a country that respects honesty and dignity," adding, "We are a nation that does not provide refuge for hate. We believe everyone is equal and should have a fair chance to succeed." He continued, "Generations of Americans have fought to defend democracy. Let's stand up for individual freedom, voting rights, and civil rights," urging, "This is our moment."

The day Biden officially announced his candidacy marked the fourth anniversary of his 2020 presidential run announcement. It was also one day before a summit with President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was visiting the U.S. as a state guest. Vice President Kamala Harris will run alongside him again in the 2024 election. The campaign named Julie Chavez Rodriguez, senior White House advisor and daughter of labor movement icon Cesar Chavez, as the campaign manager.

Currently, there is no significant challenger to President Biden within the Democratic Party. So far, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, and author Marianne Williamson have declared their candidacies for the 2024 election. However, due to Biden's age of 80 this year and economic issues such as inflation, there is growing public opinion that he should not run, suggesting a challenging path ahead.

The Washington Post (WP) reported, "Having run seven times for the U.S. Senate and four times for president and vice president, this will likely be the last campaign for Biden," adding, "Polls show few Democrats are enthusiastic about his re-election, but many believe he may be the best choice to keep the presidency." The New York Times also stated, "Despite concerns and anxieties about the oldest president in history, Biden is almost certain to be the Democratic presidential nominee." Biden previously served as vice president for eight years under Barack Obama's administration and defeated then-President Trump in the 2020 election to become the 46th U.S. president.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Weight Grows for Trump vs. Biden Rematch

Following former President Trump, President Biden's candidacy announcement has increased the likelihood of a rematch between the two former and current presidents. Trump immediately criticized Biden harshly. In a video posted on his social media platform 'Truth Social,' Trump called Biden "the most corrupt president in U.S. history," claiming, "It is unimaginable for such a miserable and failed presidency to seek re-election." This was a response to Biden's anti-Trump campaign video officially announcing his run.

Currently, Trump leads the Republican presidential contenders in polls, making his candidacy for next year's election highly likely. A previously released Wall Street Journal (WSJ) poll showed Trump with 48% support, overwhelmingly ahead of Governor DeSantis at 24%. Trump's recent indictment over alleged hush money related to sexual encounters is also seen as rallying the Republican conservative base.

On the same day, Trump said, "You know what happened in the last election," alleging, "They cheated and rigged the election." He added, "No one has a worse record, and our country has never been through so much," criticizing, "Even combining the five worst presidents in U.S. history, none come close to the damage Biden has done to our country in just a few years." He cited the worst inflation, bank failures, illegal immigration issues, and the Afghanistan withdrawal controversy as examples.

Furthermore, Trump said, "Ukraine is devastated, something that would never have happened if I were president," and "Biden has brought us to the brink of World War III." He claimed, "There has never been a greater contrast between two consecutive administrations in U.S. history," adding, "We were great, and they failed." He concluded, "With your support, we will defeat Biden in the election," promising, "We will save the economy, crush inflation, and stop the invasion at the southern border. Together, we will make America great again."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

If a rematch between President Biden and former President Trump occurs, it will be historically rare. In the 1950s, Republican Dwight Eisenhower defeated Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson twice consecutively (1952, 1956), winning both elections by large margins. The New York Times mentioned the so-called 'incumbency premium,' stating, "In over 230 years of U.S. history, 26 presidents have sought re-election after their term ended, and only four have lost in the past 100 years. These unfortunate individuals were Herbert Hoover in 1932, Jimmy Carter in 1980, George Bush in 1992, and Donald Trump in 2020."

However, a poll showed that 4 out of 10 American voters feel fatigued by the possibility of a Biden-Trump rematch. According to a survey released this week by Yahoo News and polling firm YouGov, 38% of respondents said they feel "fatigue." Additionally, 29% expressed fear, and 23% felt sadness about the rematch. Opposition to Biden's and Trump's candidacies reached 70% and 60%, respectively, with the top reasons being Biden's age of 80 and various legal risks surrounding Trump.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.